Relatives of metro blast victims bring suit against city of Moscow

The first relatives of a victim of the Moscow Metro bombing last month brought suit against the city of Moscow today. 40 people were killed and 130 injured when a metro wagon exploded during rush hour. The plaintiffs' lawyer Igor Trunov told journalists that the suit was brought by the parents of Natalia Kiselyova who died during the explosion. They are asking for compensation in the amount of approximately USD 1580 plus a monthly pension for losing their breadwinner.

Kiselyova worked as the head of the legal information department of the Central Election Commission and received a monthly salary of approximately USD 1050. Her elder parents can count on a monthly pension in the amount of USD 260. Her son should also receive that sum until he becomes an adult, said Trunov. In addition, Kiselyova's parents are also requiring a sum in the amount of USD 1 million for moral injury. Trunov said a Moscow city court scheduled opening testimony for April 1.

'Other relatives of victims of the metro bombing will most likely follow and bring suit against the city,' said Trunov. He added that the majority of relatives can't count on compensation for material damages because their victims either had very low wages or were unemployed.